Resilient back support for reclining lounge chairs



y 9 1951 E. M. MORVICE 2560,11

RESILIENT BACK SUPPORT FOR RECLINING LOUNGE CHAIRS Filed-Jan. 10, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 y 195'l E. M. MORVICE 2956,

RESILIENT BACK SUPPORT FOR RECLINING LOUNGE CHAIRS Filed Jan; 10, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 [fa 6x15? I fdwardflf/ farwbe Patented July 10, 1 951 UNITED STATE RESILIENT BACK SUPPORT FOR RECLI NING LOUNGE CHAIRS Edward M. Morvice, Rockford, 111. Application January 10, 1947, Serial No. 721,171

I This invention relates to furniture and is more particularly concerned with a new and improved back support for reclining lounge chairs.

Reclining lounge chairs have heretofore been equipped with rather complicated and expensive back supports and usually these supports were more or less built-in in the construction of the chair, thus adding materially to the overall cost of production of such chairs. The majority of these supports moreover tended to return the chair back with a jerky movement and too abruptly and forcibly. In most instances there were springs and friction elements which were exposed more or less so that the upholstery on the chair was apt to become entangled therewith in the back and forth movements of the chair back, not to mention the efi'ect lint and dirt collecting on these parts would have upon the proper smooth functioning of such back supports. It is not surprising therefore'that these prior structures invariably provided easily accessible adjustments which it was expected the purchaser would have to resort to sooner or later to put the chair back in working order. It is, therefore, the principal object ofmy invention to provide a back support for reclining lounge chairs which avoids the objections just mentioned, a salient feature of the present construction being that it is a self-contained unit, the springs and friction means employed being all housed and substantially enclosed in the unit, so that they will function properly indefinitely and cannot become fouled by contact with upholstery, and there is no need to provide any adjustments and the installation in the chairs at the factory is greatly simplified and the cost of production of lounge chairs is accordingly lowered.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanyin drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a side view of a lounge chair embodying my invention showing some of the upholstery broken away tobetter illustrate the back supports that are fastened to the outer sides of the vertical back portions of the arms of the chair and. to the opposite sides of the chair back adj acent the lower end thereof, the frame of the chair back being indicated in dotted lines in a number of reclining positions;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, on a larger scale, an intermediate portion of the chair back frame being broken away Claims. (Cl. 155164) Referring to the drawings, the reference numeral 5 designates the reclining back for a lounge chair, the seat cushion of which is shown at 6 and one of the arms at 1. The back support units with which my invention is concerned are designated generally by reference numerals 8 and. 8, the two being of identical construction, but of left and right hand, respectively, for the left and right sides of the chair. Each unit comprises sheet metal brackets 9 and In which are pivotally connected by a bolt H and are secured. to the chair frame i2 and back frame 13, respectively, the bolts H of the two units on opposite sides of the chair being coaxially aligned, as indicated by the axis 11-?) in Fig. 2, relative to which the chair 5 pivots in reclining, as indicated by the dotted line positions of the back frame i3 in Fig. 1. This pivotal axis 60-17, as should be clear by noting position of bolt II in Fig. l, is close enough to the back of the seat cushion 6 to make for such slight movement of the lower to permit showing the two back support units larger; 7 V Fig. 3 is an inner side View of one of said back support units, taken on 1ine'3-3 of Fig. 2, showing the unit substantially full size, and

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section on the line '4-4 of Fig. 3. 7 V The same reference numerals are applied to correspondingpartsin these four views.

portion of the back 5 relative to the seat cushion 6 that a person seated in the chair is not conscious of any to and fro movement between these portions of the chair in reclining the back and allowing it to return to the normal upright position, and there is no danger of getting clothing caught or mussed. The bracket 9 of each unit is stationary and fastened by screws id to the outer side of the upright back rail 15 of the arm of the chair. Holes 5 are 7 provided in the bracket 9 in register with screw holes in the movable bracket lfi to permit reaching with a screw driverthe screws ll that are used to fasten the movable bracket to the outer Side of the frame l3 of the chair back on the lower portion thereof. I shall now describe the spring means cooperating with said brackets 9 and Ill for yieldingly resisting the reclining movement of the chair back, and the friction means also cooperating with said brackets which is principally for frictionally resisting the recoil actions of said spring means but also helps to resist the reclining movement of the chair back. 7

Referring now mainly to Figs. 3 and 4, a heavy, closely coiled, spiral torsion spring I8, which is made of flat strip material of appreciable width, has a hook IS on the inner end entered in a notch 20 in the periphery of a heavy cupped washer 21 that is welded, as indicated at 22, to the outer pivotal or bearing portion 23 of the bracket [0 to provide a hub portion concentric with the bolt ii. Hence, when the bracket i0 is turned relative to the bracket 9 in a counterclockwise direction, as indicated by-the arrow 0 in Fig. 3, the'inner end of said spring is turned with it and the torsion spring I8 is accordingly wound, due to the fact that the outer end of said spring is held against movement, the same being hooked, as shown at 24, onto a pin 25 that gagement with the pin 25, as shown in Fig. 3..

The springs 18 of the two units cooperate to oifer greater and greater resistance to the reclining. movement of the back 5 the farther it is swung back. On the other hand, a personisea'ted in the chair and reclining farther and farther will throw more and more weight on theback ofthe chair the farther he reclines, so that the increased spring resistance to such movement of the chair back is notvery noticeable.

A friction disk. 2] of leather or any. other suitable. material is cemented or otherwise suitably attached to the outer end portion 28of the'bracket 9 and the bearing portion 23' of the bracket" H] is pressed tightly against the friction diskyby means of a coiled compression spring 29 which encircles the bolt II- and is seated in the washer 2|, the torsion spring I8; defining a chamber therein to house the cupped washer 2| and theshort coiled compression spring 29, as clearly appears in Fig. 4'. The spring 29 is compressed between the washer 21- and a circular plate 3% when the nut,3l that'is threaded on the outer end of the. bolt H is tightened. 32 is a washer under the nut 3| which is mounted on the bolt l I with the plate 3|], the bolt being passed through centerholes in the plate and washer. The plate 30 serves an additional function in holding the torsion spring IS in assembled relation tothe washer 2| and pin 25, but, of course, working clearance is left between the plate 30 and the spring it when the nut 3| is tightened to the desired extent, it being important that thespring 8" work freely. The nut 3| may be locked in adjusted position in any suitable manner, as by prick punching on diametrically opposite sides of the bolt, as indicated at 33 in Fig. 3, this method of locking being enough toavoid danger of the nut 31 backing off, and yet not interfering with the tightening of the nut at a later date if that should ever be necessary by reason of wearing away of the friction disk.

In operation, a person seated in the chair will find that the chair back' 5 will provide good sup? port at any angle of recline chosen. In other. words, there is-noconsciousness of having to hold the chair back in: a given position forcibly against. spring pressure. In. fact the chair back will not. snap back to the upright position: if the person; seated in the. chair suddenly leans forward; the chair back under. such circumstances. returns slowly" tothe upright position, due to the frictionalresistance-tov turning. afiorded by the friction disks 21. There isno" danger oflint orv dirt: and grit interfering with the proper functioning. of. the two-backsupport units 8 and 8;, because. these units are, self-contained and of: substantiallyenclosedconstruction. There is also no danger of the upholstery on the chair-becoming entangled with these units andiinterferingwith the proper functioning thereof, and-the units seldom if ever require any adjustment after their installation. at the; factory. The installation. is greatly simplified" as a; result of: the, self.-contained design of. theseunits, itbeing; necessary. only to fasten the brackets to thechair frame and back frame.

In conclusion; it; will. be; evident that bullettypeball' detents, such: as are used commonly in the. furniture industry, maybe. provided. on the stationary brackets 9 cooperating with circumferentially spaced depressions in the other brackets III to hold the chair back releasably in adjusted positions, or, if desired, latchmeans may be provided for releasablylocking'the chair back in adjusted positions, the latch means being of a form requiring manual operation to release the same,.. but being spring pressed toward locked position, that type being commonly employed in connection with reclining car seats.

It. is believed the foregoing description conveys a good understanding of the objects and advantagesof my invention. The appended claims have been drawn to cover all legitimate modifications and adaptations.

I claim:

1. In a reclining chair, a main frame, aback frame adapted to be pivotally connected to saidmain frame,.and' a pair of coaxial, self-contained, hinge units defining the pivotal axis for and supporting. said. back frame, at least one of said'. units comprising a flat stationary bracket fixed to the'main frame, a flat pivotal bracket fixed to the back frame, a bolt pivotally connecting said brackets in overlapped relation, a spiral torsion spring made offlat strip material of appreciable width closely coiled, disposed substantially concentric with said bolt and interconnecting said. brackets at its inner end in radially spaced relation to said pivot and yieldingly resisting pivotal movement of the pivotalbracket in one direction, friction means between. the brackets for resisting; pivotal movement of the pivotal bracket in either direction, said torsion spring by virtue of its inner end being. anchored in radially spaced relation with respect to the pivot bolt definingv asubstantially cylindrical chamber: around said bolt adapted to house a short coiled compression spring, ashort coiled compressionspring surrounding the bolt in said chamben. and. aplate mounted onthe. outer end of said bolt asa closure for said chamber and to retain both springs; against displacement relative to the bolt and: compress the compression spring so as to obtain a resilient braking pressure on-the friction means 2; Ina reclining chair, a main frame, a back frame adapted to be pivotally connected to said main frame, anda pair of'coaxial', self-contained hingeunits'defining thepivotalaxis-for and sup-- porting said back frame; at least one of said-units comprising a stationary bracket fixed to the main frame, a pivotal bracket fixed to the' back frame, said bracketshaving end portions of substantial area disposedin overlapping-pivotal relationship; a single. friction disk between saidend portions frictionally resistingupivotalmovement of said brackets, abolt pivotally-connecting said-endpor-- tions and carryingthereona coiled compression spring under. compressionholding the-end portions in engagement with the friction disk, and-aspiral,v torsion, spring. surrounding. the bolt and compression spring and interconnecting said end portions yieldingly to. resist. pivotahmovementof the pivotal bracket in" one direction.

3.. In areclining. chair, a. main frame, a back frame .adaptedit'o be pivotally connected to' said main frame, anda pair of coaxial; self-contained hinge-units definingthepivotal. axis for andsupporting saidbacle frame, at least one of said units comprising a. stationary bracket fixed to the main frame,.a pivotalbracketfixed tothe back frame, said brackets having endportions-of'substantial. area. disposed. in. overlappingpivotal relationshi'na bolt-extending. through. and. pivot! ally connecting said end portions, one of said end portions having a cupped portion in substantially coaxial relation to said bolt, a spiral torsion spring surrounding and connected at its inner end to said cupped portion and connected at its outer end to the other bracket to resist pivotal movement of the one bracket relative to the other in one direction, and a coiled compression spring surrounding said bolt and seated in said cupped portion and arranged to be compressed by tightening of said bolt to urge the end portions of said brackets together frictionally to resist pivotal movement therebetween in either direction.

4. A structure as set forth in claim 3, including a sheet of friction material between the overlapped end portions of said brackets.

5. In a reclining chair, a main frame, a back frame adapted to be pivotally connected to said main frame, and a pair of coaxial, self-contained hinge units defining the pivotal axis for and supporting said back frame, at least one of said units comprising a stationary bracket fixed to the main frame, a pivotal bracket fixed to the back frame, said brackets having end portions of substantial area disposed in overlapping pivotal relationship, a bolt extending through and pivotally connecting said end portions, one of said end portions having a cupped portion in substantially coaxial relation to said bolt, a spiral torsion spring surrounding and connected at its inner end to said cupped portion and connected at its outer end to the other bracket to resist pivotal movement of the one bracket relative to the other in one direction, a coiled compression spring surrounding said bolt and seated in said cupped portion and arranged to be compressed by tightening of said bolt to urge the end portions of said brackets together frictionally to resist pivotal movement therebetween in either direction, and a plate carried on said bolt and serving to hold the torsion spring in place on the cupped portion.

6. In a reclining chair, a main frame, a back frame adapted to be pivotally connected to said main frame, and a pair of coaxial, self-contained hinge units defining the pivotal axis for and supporting said back frame, at least one of said units comprising a flat stationary bracket fixed to the main frame, a flat pivotal bracket fixed to the back frame, said brackets having end portions of substantial area disposed in overlapping relationship, a bolt pivotally connecting the overlapped end portions of said brackets, a spiral torsion spring made of flat strip material of appreciable width closely coiled, disposed substantially concentric with said bolt and interconnecting said brackets at its inner end in radially spaced relation to said bolt to yieldingly resist pivotal movement of the pivotal bracket in one direction, friction means between the overlapped portions of the brackets for resisting pivotal movement of the pivotal bracket in either direction,- said torsion spring by virtue of its inner end being anchored in radially spaced relation to said bolt defining a substantially cylindrical chamber substantially concentric with said bolt adapted to house a short coiled compression'spring, and a short coiled compression spring in said chamber surrounding the bolt and caged thereon in compressed condition so as to provide resilient braking pressure on the friction means.

7. A recoil check device comprisingtwo flat brackets, one of which is adapted to have pivotal movement relative to the other, said brackets having end portions of substantial area disposed in overlapping pivotal relationship, a single friction disk between said end portions frictionally resisting pivotal movement of said brackets, a bolt pivotally connecting said end portions and carrying thereon a coiled compression spring under compression holding the end portions in engagement with the friction disk, and a spiral torsion spring surrounding the bolt and compression spring and interconnecting said end portions yieldingly to resist pivotal movement of the pivotal bracket in one direction.

8. A recoil check device comprising two brackets, one of which is adapted to have pivotal movement relative to the other, said brackets having end portions of substantial area disposed in overlapping pivotal relationship, a bolt extending through and pivotally connecting said end portions, one of said end portions having a cupped portion in substantially coaxial relation to said bolt, a spiral torsion spring surrounding and connected at its inner end to said cupped portion and connected at its outer end to the other bracket to resist pivotal movement of the one bracket relative to the other in one direction, and a coiled compression spring surrounding said bolt and seated in said cupped portion and arranged to be compressed by tightening of said bolt to urge the end portions of said brackets together frictionally to resist pivotal movement therebetween in either direction.

9. A structure as set forth in claim 8, including a sheet of friction material between the overlapped end portions of said brackets.

10. A recoil check device comprising two brackets, one of which is adapted to have pivotal movement relative to the other, said brackets having end portions of substantial area disposed in overlapping pivotal relationship, a bolt extending through and pivotally connecting said end portions, one of said end portions having a cupped portion in substantially coaxial relation to said bolt, a spiral torsion spring surrounding and connected at its inner end to said cupped portion and. connected at its outer end to the other bracket to resist pivotal movement of the one bracket relative to the other in one direction, and a coiled compression spring surrounding said bolt and seated in said cupped portion and arranged to be compressed by tightening of said bolt to urge the end portions of said brackets together frictionally to resist pivotal movement therebetween in either direction, and a plate carried on said bolt and serving to hold the torsion spring in place on the cupped member.

EDWARD M. MORVICE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,212,506 Knauss Jan. 16, 1917 1,441,578 Hartford Jan. 9, 1923 1,555,894 Van Meter Oct. 6, 1925 1,776,418 Dujardin Sept. 23, 1930 1,929,471 Bank Oct. 10, 1933 2,283,485 Beck May 19, 1942 2,395,178 Flori Feb. 19, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 726,388 France Mar. 1, 1932 Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,560,181 July 10, 1951 EDWARD M. MORVICE It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correctlon as follows:

Column 6, line 55, for member read portion;

and that the said Letters Patent should be read as corrected above, so that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office. Signed and sealed this 25th day of September, A. D. 1951.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Oommz'ssz'oner of Patents. 

